By Mickey Furfari
MORGANTOWN — Kevin Jones, a sparkling 6-8, 250-pound sophomore, possesses all anyone could ask in one of the “Big Three” of the West Virginia University men’s basketball team.
The Mount Vernon, N.Y., native is second in both scoring (15.8 points) and rebounding (7.9 rebounds) per game.
Another sophomore, Devin Ebanks, is the eighth-ranked Mountaineers’ top rebounder (8.0 average per game), and senior Da’Sean Butler is the leading scorer with an average of 16.2 ppg.
A growing number of observers think Ebanks, who’s scoring at a 12.0 ppg clip but coming off a scoreless game Saturday against Notre Dame, will forgo his remaining two years of eligibility and head for the NBA after this season.
But Jones said, “I definitely plan to return for next year. I am learning so much from coach (Bob) Huggins and his staff. I am very happy at WVU.”
The highly recruited youngster said Lowes Moore, an all-time pick as a Mountaineer student from 1976-80, was a factor in his decision to sign early with West Virginia. The two reside in Mount Vernon and are very good friends.
“He showed me around and told me about his experiences at WVU,” Jones said. “I want to help win a national championship for West Virginia.”
Moore played one year here with Huggins, and the two have remained close friends since the mid-1970s.
Coach Huggins said, “Kevin Jones shoots well and rebounds the ball well. He played a big part in keeping the ball alive against Rutgers (19 points and eight rebounds in the 86-54 romp).
“What I was pleased about most he did a good job defensively in that game. K.J. is a good all-around player and a wonderful kid. I think the biggest thing he gives us is that he stretches the defense.
“An opponent’s big guys have to come away from the basket because he shoots the ball so well.”
Jones filled a reserve roll in all 35 games as a freshman. He averaged 6.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, shot 49.5 percent from the field (96 of 194) and logged 22 assists, 23 blocked shots and 21 steals.
In helping the nationally eighth-ranked Mountaineers to a 12-2 start this season, Jones is the only player to score double digits in each of the 14 games.
Jones, who has 221 points and 110 rebounds for the first 14 games, is shooting a team-best 62.1 percent (90 of 145). He blocked 10 shots and had 13 steals and 20 assists.
